Owen appointed Wales skipper

MICHAEL OWEN was last night appointed Wales captain for the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against Scotland at Murrayfield on March 13.

The Newport Gwent Dragons number eight will take over from full-back Gareth Thomas, who broke his thumb during last Saturday’s victory over France in Paris.

Wales need to beat Scotland, and then topple Ireland in Cardiff six days later, to achieve their first Grand Slam since 1978. Owen’s promotion was widely touted following the French game.